Internet bonusing

ABSTRACT

An Internet bonusing system includes an electronic gaming machine (EGM) having a memory area for receiving information relating to game play on the EGM and a player&#39;s activity associated with game play on the EGM and for storing the information. The EGM also includes a processor that is programmed to record play of the player on the EGM, encode at least a portion of the recorded play, and output a result of the encoding in a tangible form to the player. The Internet bonusing system also includes an Internet-enabled computer programmed to communicatively couple to a gaming website and to receive the result of the encoding through an input device communicatively coupled to the computer.

BACKGROUND

The field of the invention relates generally to gaming, and morespecifically, to methods and systems for extending game play outside a“brick and mortar” casino.

Casinos typically are located within buildings and operated by operatorslicensed by state authorities. Such casinos are generally referred toherein as “brick and mortar” casinos. Casino operators typically arevery interested in collecting and analyzing gaming information about theplayers who visit such casinos, and use such information to provideenhanced game play and other benefits to the players. Since casinoscompete with each other for attracting players, the casino operatorsgenerally maintain their player information confidential and arereluctant to release any such information, even to their own suppliers.

For example, a casino operator may develop a database of informationrelated to players who visit their casinos. Such information is used toattract the players to make return visits to the casino and well as toenhance the gaming experience of the player while at the casino. Asexplained above, casino operators typically maintain such playerinformation confidential. Knowledge of at least some player information,however, may be beneficial for at least certain casino suppliers, suchas the creators and designers of the gaming machines. Specifically, increating and designing a new game, knowledge of player preferences andhabits would be very helpful in guiding the game design and creationprocess.

Since casino operators are reluctant to share such player information,the game creators and designers generally look for alternative sourcesin order to build their own database of player preferences and habits.Such information can be gathered, for example, through surveys, focusgroups and simulated gaming environments. Game creators and designersalso must rely on their intuition and own gaming experiences in creatingconcepts and designs. While game creators and designers have beensuccessful in creating and designing new games even without actualplayer information from casino operators, having access to suchinformation would further aide and benefit the game creation and designprocess.

In addition, many players enjoy discovering and sharing special modes orsecret “unlock” aspects of games. Codes and activation combinations havebeen used in home leisure systems and arcade systems in order to prolonginterest, increase popularity of games, and, therefore, increase thecommercial life of games. In addition, the Internet has become avaluable tool to the leisure gaming industry through community sharingof such codes and activation combinations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a system that facilitates the collection of playerinformation is described. The system, in one embodiment, includes anelectronic gaming machine (EGM) configured for being located within abrick and mortar casino. The EGM includes a memory area for receivingand storing information relating to game play on the EGM and a player'sactivity associated with game play on the EGM. The EGM also includes aprocessor programmed to control storage of the game play and playerinformation in the memory area and encode at least a portion of suchinformation. The processor also is coupled to an output device (e.g., aticket printer) and controls generation of an output in a tangible form(e.g., a ticket) to the player.

The system further includes an Internet-enabled device programmed tocommunicatively couple to a server hosted gaming system and to receiveat least a portion of the encoded information. The player inputs theencoded information on the ticket into the Internet-enabled device,which then communicates such information to the central gaming systemserver. Using the encoded information, the server then functions tooffer the player opportunities to earn points or other credits byplaying games via the Internet-enabled device. Player information (e.g.,game preferences, duration of play) derived from the ticket and onlineactivities can then be collected by the server. Such player informationcan then be used, for example, by game creators and designers inconnection with creating, designing, and fabricating new games and newgame machines (e.g., EGMs).

In another aspect, a method is described for tracking player activity.The method includes recording play of a player on an EGM, encoding atleast a portion of the recorded play using a hash function, andoutputting a result of the hash function to the player.

In another aspect, a method is described for providing players withbonuses via the Internet. The method includes receiving, at a hostserver associated with a centralized gaming system (which, in someembodiments is a web site), information that represents recorded play ofan associated player on an EGM at a first gaming venue. Such informationmay, for example, be encoded in an output generated by the EGM using ahash function. The method also includes providing credit to theplurality of players for gaming on an Internet-based gaming site basedon the respective received output, scoring outcomes of the Internetgaming played by the plurality of players, selecting at least one of theplurality of players based on at least one of a ranking of outcomes ofthe Internet gaming and a random selection, and awarding a bonus to atleast one selected player.

In another aspect, a method is provided for generating a redemptioncode. The method includes recording information related to the play of aplayer on an EGM, correlating the recorded play information to a levelof play, detecting whether the level of play meets a threshold,executing a hash function using the recorded play to generate a hashfunction output, encoding the hash function output in a message, andpresenting the message to the player.

In yet another aspect, a gaming method is provided that enables gamingmachines to implement “unlock codes” into an underlying game. Duringplay of a game, an EGM tracks player activity and outputs a code to theplayer via, for example, a ticket or an electronic message. A hostserver associated with a centralized system receives the code as enteredby the player at a device, such as a computer. The host server thenprovides the player with a trigger, such as a symbol combination or aninput combination, that the player is to achieve within a specified timeperiod. The player can then return to the casino to play the EGM duringthe time period to either enter the input combination or to achieve thesymbol combination. Upon detecting the trigger, the EGM prompts theplayer to enter the previously provided code, and enables a specialfeature mode of play, such as an additional bonus multiplier or thelike.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments described herein may be better understood by referringto the following description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary gaming machine;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary Internet enabledcomputer system at an offsite location;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary method oftransforming player data in a raw form at the gaming machine shown inFIG. 1 to an offsite play ticket redemption code value;

FIG. 4 is a screen capture of an exemplary graphic display such as asplash screen or home page of a website that may be used with theInternet bonusing system shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a screen capture of an alternative graphic display such as asplash screen or home page of a website that be used with the Internetbonusing system shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a screen capture of an exemplary graphic display during gameplay at the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a screen capture of a second exemplary graphic display duringgame play at the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a screen capture of a third exemplary graphic display duringgame play at the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description describes embodiments of theinvention by way of example and not by way of limitation. It iscontemplated that the invention has general application to analyticaland methodical embodiments of tracking player progress and providingencoded historical data in commercial and residential applications.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralelements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention arenot intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic gaming machine(EGM) 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. In the exemplary embodiment, gaming machine 100 includes atleast one processor 102, such as a microprocessor, amicrocontroller-based platform, a suitable integrated circuit or one ormore application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Processor 102 iscommunicably coupled with or operable to access or to exchange signalswith at least one data storage or memory device 104. In one embodiment,processor 102 and memory device 104 reside within a cabinet (not shownin FIG. 1) of gaming machine 100. Processor 102 and memory device 104may be collectively referred to herein as a “computer” or “controller.”

Memory device 104 stores program code and instructions, executable byprocessor 102, to control gaming machine 100. Memory device 104 alsostores other data such as image data, event data, player input data,random or pseudo-random number generators, pay-table data or informationand applicable game rules that relate to the play of gaming machine 100.Memory device 104 may include one, or more than one, forms of memory.For example, memory device 104 can include random access memory (RAM),which can include non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM),ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM) and other forms of memory. Memory device mayalso include read only memory (ROM), flash memory and/or ElectricallyErasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM). Any other suitablemagnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory, by itself or incombination with other forms of memory, may be included in memory device104.

Memory device 104 may also be, or include, a detachable or removablememory, including, but not limited to, a suitable cartridge, disk, CDROM, DVD or USB memory. A player can use such removable memory in adesktop, a laptop personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA)or other computerized platform.

In one embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, gaming machine 100randomly generates awards and/or other game outcomes based onprobability data. That is, each award or other game outcome isassociated with a probability and gaming machine 100 generates the awardor other game outcome to be provided to the player based on theassociated probabilities. In this embodiment, because gaming machine 100generates outcomes randomly or based upon a probability calculation,there is no certainty that gaming machine 100 will ever provide theplayer with any specific award or other game outcome. Such randomdetermination could be provided through utilization of a random numbergenerator (RNG), such as a true random number generator, a pseudo randomnumber generator or other suitable randomization process.

In another embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, gaming machine100 employs a predetermined or finite set or pool of awards or othergame outcomes. In this embodiment, as each award or other game outcomeis provided to the player, gaming machine 100 removes the provided awardor other game outcome from the predetermined set or pool. Once removedfrom the set or pool, the specific provided award or other game outcomecannot be provided to the player again. This type of gaming deviceprovides players with all of the available awards or other game outcomesover the course of the play cycle and guarantees the amount of actualwins and losses.

In yet another embodiment, upon a player initiating game play at gamingmachine 100, gaming machine 100 enrolls in a bingo game. In thisembodiment, a bingo server calls the bingo balls that result in aspecific game outcome. The resultant game outcome is communicated to theindividual gaming machine 100 to be provided to a player.

Referring still to FIG. 1, gaming machine 100 includes one or moredisplay devices 106, 108 controlled by processor 102. Display devices106 and 108 are mounted to the cabinet of gaming machine 100. Gamingmachine 100 includes a central display device 106, which displays aprimary game. Display device 106 may also display any secondary gameassociated with the primary game as well as information relating to theprimary or secondary game. Display device 108 may, for example, be anupper display device 108. Upper display device 108 may display theprimary game, any suitable secondary game associated with the primarygame and/or information relating to the primary or secondary game. Atleast one display device 106 and 108 may be a mobile display device,such as a PDA or tablet PC that enables play of at least a portion ofthe primary or secondary game at a location remote from other componentsof gaming machine 100.

Gaming machine 100 includes a credit display 110, which displays aplayer's current number of credits, cash, account balance or theequivalent. Gaming machine 100 also includes a bet display 112 whichdisplays a player's amount wagered. Credit display 110 and bet display112 may be standalone displays independent of display devices 106 and108, or credit display 110 and bet display 112 may be incorporated intodisplay devices 106 and/or 108.

Display devices 106 and/or 108 may include, without limitation, amonitor, a television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a display based on light emitting diodes (LED), a displaybased on a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), a displaybased on polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), a display based on aplurality of surface-conduction electron-emitters (SEDs), a displayincluding a projected and/or reflected image or any other suitableelectronic device or display mechanism. In one embodiment, as describedin more detail below, display devices 106 and/or 108 includes atouch-screen 114 with an associated touch-screen controller 116. Displaydevices 106 and/or 108 may be of any suitable configuration, such as asquare, a rectangle or an elongated rectangle. Touch-screen 114 iscoupled with touch-screen controller 116, or some other touch-sensitivedisplay overlay to enable player interaction with the images on displaydevices 106 and/or 108.

Display devices 106 and/or 108 are configured to display one or moregame or other suitable images, symbols and indicia such as any visualrepresentation or exhibition of the movement of objects such asmechanical, virtual or video reels and wheels, dynamic lighting, videoimages, images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards,tournament advertisements and the like.

In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and indicia displayedon or of the display device may be in mechanical form. That is, thedisplay device may include any electromechanical device, such as one ormore mechanical objects, such as one or more rotatable wheels, reels ordice, configured to display at least one and preferably a plurality ofgame or other suitable images, symbols or indicia.

Still referring to FIG. 1, gaming machine 100 includes at least onepayment acceptor 118 in communication with processor 102. Paymentacceptor 118 includes a coin slot 120 and a payment, note or billacceptor 122, where the player inserts money, coins or tokens. Theplayer can place coins in coin slot 120 or paper money, ticket orvoucher into payment, note or bill acceptor 122. Devices such as a cardreader or validator 124 for credit cards, debit cards or credit slipsmay be used to accept payment. An identification card and/or a smartcard having a programmed microchip or a magnetic strip coded with aplayer's identification, credit totals and other relevant informationmay be used. In one embodiment, money may be transferred to a gamingmachine through electronic funds transfer (EFT). When a player fundsgaming machine 100, processor 102 determines the amount of funds enteredand displays the corresponding amount on credit display 110 as describedabove.

Gaming machine 100 further includes one or more input devices 126communicatively coupled to processor 102. Input devices 126 include anysuitable device which enables the player to produce an input signalwhich is readable by processor 102. In one embodiment, input device 126is a game activation device, such as a pull arm or a play button whichis used by the player to start any primary game or sequence of events ingaming machine 100. The play button can be any suitable play activatorsuch as, but not limited to, a bet one button, a max bet button or arepeat the bet button. In one embodiment, upon appropriate funding,gaming machine 100 begins the game play automatically. In anotherembodiment, upon the player engaging one of the play buttons, gamingmachine 100 automatically activates game play.

One input device 126 may be a “Bet One” button. The player places a betby pushing the Bet One button. The player can increase the bet by onecredit each time the player pushes the Bet One button. When the playerpushes the Bet One button, the number of credits shown in credit display110 decrements by one, and the number of credits shown in bet display112 increments by one. Another input device may be a “Bet Max” buttonwhich enables the player to bet the maximum wager permitted for a gameof gaming machine 100.

Yet another input device 126 may be a “Cash Out” button. The player maypush the Cash Out button and cash out to receive a cash payment or othersuitable form of payment corresponding to the number of remainingcredits. When the player cashes out, the player receives the coins ortokens in a coin payout tray (not shown in FIG. 1) or other payoutmechanisms, such as tickets or credit slips, redeemable by a cashier, orfunding to the player's electronically recordable identification card.

Touch-screen 114 and touch-screen controller 116 are communicativelycoupled to a video controller 128. A player can make decisions and inputsignals into gaming machine 100 by touching touch-screen 114 atappropriate places. Gaming machine 100 also includes one or morecommunication ports 130 that enable communication of processor 102 withexternal peripherals (not shown in FIG. 1), such as, but not limited to,external video sources, expansion buses, game or other displays, a SCSIport or a key pad.

In the exemplary embodiment, gaming machine 100 includes a soundgenerating device 132 that is controlled by one or more sounds cards134, which function in conjunction with processor 102. Sound generatingdevice 132 includes at least one speaker or other sound generatinghardware and/or software for generating sounds, such as playing musicfor the primary and/or secondary game or for other modes of gamingmachine 100, such as an attract mode. Gaming machine 100 providesdynamic sounds coupled with attractive multimedia images displayed onone or more of display devices 106 and/or 108 to provide an audio-visualrepresentation or to otherwise display full-motion video with sound toattract players to gaming machine 100. During idle periods, gamingmachine 100 may display a sequence of audio and/or visual attractionmessages to attract potential players to gaming machine 100. The videosmay also be customized for or to provide any appropriate information.

In the exemplary embodiment, gaming machine 100 includes a sensor 136,such as a camera communicatively coupled to and/or controlled byprocessor 102. Sensor 136 is selectively positionable to acquire animage of a player actively using gaming machine 100 and/or an areasurrounding gaming machine 100. In one embodiment, the camera mayselectively acquire still or moving (e.g., video) images and may acquirethe images in either an analog, digital or other suitable format.Display devices 106 and/or 108 may display the image acquired by thecamera, as well as display the visible manifestation of the game insplit screen or picture-in-picture fashion. For example, the camera mayacquire an image of the player and the processor may incorporate thatimage into the primary and/or secondary game as a game image, symbol orindicia.

In addition to cash or tickets redeemable for cash, and in accordancewith one embodiment, the player receives an offsite play ticket 140 thatincludes a code printed in a code field 142 and may include a URLprinted in a URL field 144. Typically, no data is encoded on ticket 140that identifies the player. The code does include, for example, anidentification of a manufacturer of gaming machine 100. The ticket isprinted by a printer 146 communicatively coupled to processor 102. Morespecifically, and in one embodiment, players wager on participatinggaming machines 100 in brick and mortar casinos (not shown). Any win onparticipating gaming machines 100 above a predetermined threshold (e.g.,$20) triggers offsite play ticket 140 to be printed. In the exampleembodiment, offsite play ticket 140 includes a code printed on it and aURL. Offsite play ticket 140 may advise the player that logging into theprinted URL with the printed code will give them an opportunity to playadditional games. Offsite play ticket 140 allows the player to continueplaying games at an offsite location such as, but not limited to, theirown home through the Internet. Alternatively, offsite play ticket 140allows the player to access a trigger, such as an input combination or asymbol combination, which may be acquired during a subsequent playsession on gaming machine 100. Upon detection of the trigger, gamingmachine 100 then prompts the player to input the code provided in codefield 142 to activate a special feature that is otherwise hidden fromthe player. As used herein, offsite location refers to a location otherthan a location of gaming machine 100. For example, gaming machine 100may be physically located on a casino floor in a hotel. The offsitelocation could be a general purpose computer or laptop computer alsolocated in the hotel but not communicatively coupled to the same networkas gaming device 100. Offsite play ticket 140 may, for example, be usedat the player's home potentially many hundreds of miles from the hoteland communicatively coupled to the Internet through the player's ownInternet Service Provider (ISP). In an alternative embodiment, the codeis transmitted to the player via, for example, email, a Short MessageService (SMS) text message, a Multimedia Message Service (MMS) textmessage, or any other suitable electronic message.

Gaming machine 100 is capable of communicatively coupling to a network148 in the casino used to connect to a plurality of gaming machines 100throughout the casino or to gaming machines 100 located remotely fromthe casino. In the exemplary embodiment, the network is hosted by aserver 150 that can monitor and control each of the plurality of gamingmachines 100 coupled to it. Server 150 may facilitate game play byproviding support for tournament play amongst the plurality of gamingmachines 100. Such support may include tallying relative scores ofplayers and determining a ranking of each player based on a scoreachieved during tournament play or other criteria, usually made known toeach player prior to a start of the tournament.

Gaming machine 100 can incorporate any suitable wagering primary or basegame. Gaming machine 100 may include some or all of the features ofconventional gaming machines or devices. The primary or base game maycomprise any suitable reel-type game, card game, number game or othergame of chance susceptible to representation in an electronic orelectromechanical form which produces a random outcome based onprobability data upon activation from a wager. That is, differentprimary wagering games, such as video poker games, video blackjackgames, video Keno, video bingo or any other suitable primary or basegame may be implemented.

Data acquired from gaming machine 100 during play by each player isstored in one or more storage locations. The storage locations mayinclude one or more databases, data registers, gaming machine meters, ora combination thereof. The source data is derived from gaming machine100 to which a collection device is attached. The data collection devicemay be an integral component of gaming machine 100 embodied in hardware,firmware, or software, or may be an add-on device in retrofitapplications. Additionally, the data collection device may include asingle device or may include a plurality of devices communicativelycoupled to accomplish the functions described herein.

In one embodiment, an accumulation of the specified data occurs over anindeterminate period of time based on an event occurring on gamingmachine 100. For example at an end of each game cycle and/or upon thereceipt of a cash-out event, the state of the accumulated data isevaluated. Predetermined rules are established based on threshold values(games played and credits wagered) and the accumulated data is compared,such as periodically compared or continuously compared, to these rulesets. Once the rule set is satisfied, the action associated with thatrule is executed.

In each instance certain key accumulated data is gathered and filteredsuch that a valid redemption code is generated. One or more guidelinesare used to initiate generation of the redemption code. An exemplaryguideline is a length of the code needed to encode all the accumulateddata. The code cannot exceed a specified maximum number of characters inlength, so as the data accumulated requires a larger number ofcharacters to encode the accumulated data a redemption code generationevent may be triggered and an offsite play tickets 140 is printed andthe accumulation of data resumes after the data associated with the dataencoded on the offsite play tickets 140 is removed. Another exemplaryguideline relates to security of the code. The code needs to contain aspecified minimum level of security.

In the exemplary embodiment, the algorithm evaluates and transposes thedata to provide threshold approximations and to reduce size. Theresulting fields are packed together into a single unique value, whichis hashed and encrypted using stored encryption keys. The encryptedvalue is then encoded into a printable character set. At the end of theprocess a data string is output that when formatted appropriately isprinted on offsite play tickets 140 and provided to the player for laterusage, as described below. After the rule set executes and the ticket isprinted, key accumulated data will be reset to predefined default valuesand the process of rules evaluations continues.

Data that may be accumulated includes, but is not limited to onlyincluding, data that is retrieved from the meters on gaming machine 100and that may be used to establish a baseline player profile on theoffsite location. Moreover, the data may include time and date data, anidentifier or serial number of gaming machine 100, a gaming machinetheme identifier and/or name, a pay table identifier, an amount of coinin, and/or an amount of cash out. Further, the data may include gamingdata such as denomination played or accepted by gaming machine 100,credit bet amounts, credit win amounts, a date or time of a game's end,and/or externally generated data that is relevant to third partyaffiliates and can be used to establish a baseline player profile on theoffsite location. In addition, the data that may be accumulated includesdata that is accumulated and/or derived from data retrieved from gamingmachine 100 and is based on the player's session. As used herein, theterm “player session” refers generally to a time period being boundedby, for example, a game start time and a game end time. Such accumulateddata includes, but is not limited to, a time duration since the start ofgame play, a time duration of a current session, a last rule settriggered since the start of game play, a total player buy-in since thestart of game play, and/or a total player buy-in during the currentsession. Moreover, such accumulated data may also include a total numberof games played since the start of game play of all themes and/ordenominations, a total number of games played during the current sessionof all themes and/or denominations, a total number of credits wageredsince the start of game play of all themes and/or denominations, and/ora total number of credits wagered during the current session of allthemes and/or denominations.

In the exemplary embodiment, the accumulated data is analyzed accordingto, for example, a game theme, duration of play using the game theme,and a denomination during the duration of play. For example, a firstsubset of accumulated data includes a first game theme identifier,duration of play of the game with the first game theme identifier, anumber of games played and a total number of credits wagered at a firstdenomination, and/or a number of games played and a total number ofcredits wagered at a second denomination. The accumulated data may alsoindicate whether it was externally generated by, for example, a trustedpartner or affiliate of the casino.

In the exemplary embodiment, one or more factors are used to determinewhen a redemption code should be generated. Exemplary factors associatedwith gaming machine 100 include, but are not limited to only including,when a player initiated cash out occurs or when a player's credits reachor approach a cash out threshold, when a game change occurs with creditsstill available for use, when a denomination change occurs with creditsstill available for use, when a total number of credits wagered reachesa threshold number, and/or when a total number of games played reaches athreshold number.

In some embodiments, one or more constraints are placed on generatingthe redemption code and/or offsite play ticket 140. For example, adenomination maybe limited to a multiple of a specified value, such asone cent, five cents, ten cents, twenty-five cents, fifty cents, onedollar, five dollars, ten dollars, and/or any other suitable value.Another exemplary constraint prevents a code from being duplicatedduring a specified time interval during which the accumulated data isequal or nearly equal. Moreover, the date and/or time of generation ofthe redemption code and/or offsite play ticket 140 may be rounded to thenearest ten-minute boundary. Further, accumulated meter data from gamingmachine 100 may be reset upon each redemption code generation. In someembodiments, a six-digit code will be used to determine where theredemption code was generated. For example, redemption codes 00001-49999are reserved for gaming machine 100. There may also be a limited numberof rule sets used to determine when to print the redemption code and/oroffsite play ticket 140. Moreover, in some embodiments, in order for aparticular rule to fire the rule preceding it must have firedimmediately before or within the current session. For example, in orderfor Rule 4 to fire, the previous rule that fired must be Rule 3.However, in some embodiments, Rule 0, which represents a cash-out event,does not have a prerequisite rule. Rather, a cash-out-generated ruleresets all accumulated values back to the default values.

In the exemplary embodiment, a number of games played and/or a totalamount wagered are considered to be an “AND” vs. “OR” conditional test.The number of games played may have a minimum threshold, such as 100games played. Similarly, the amount wagered may have a minimumthreshold, such as 100 credits wagered. Table 1, shown below,illustrates exemplary thresholds for a number of games played and anumber of credits wagered that are used to determine whether to generateoffsite play ticket 140. After Rule 4 fires, from that point forward aticket generation event occurs at a fixed interval determined by thelast rule fired. For example, in the scenario listed in Table 1, afterRule 4 initially fires then that rule repeats until a cash out eventoccurs. Notably, the values shown in Table 1 are exemplary values. Thenumber of rules and/or the thresholds associated with the rules mayvary. Moreover, alternative data may be used to represent the thresholdsother than those shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Rule Credit Games Credits ID Description Threshold PlayedWagered 0 Cash out or near Zero 0 X Y Credits 1 Initial redemption codeN/A X * 5 Y * 5 2 Secondary redemption N/A X * 4 Y * 4 code - rule 1previously triggered 3 Tertiary redemption code - N/A X * 3 Y * 3 rule 2previously triggered 4 Quaternary redemption N/A X * 2 Y * 2 code - rule3 previously triggered

In the exemplary embodiment, the redemption code is related to data suchas, but not limited to, a time and date to determine session-to-sessionfrequency of game play, a theme name, a pay table identifier, and/or adenomination. In some embodiments, the theme name, the pay tableidentifier, and/or the denomination relate to a particular game, such asa game that was played most frequently during a specified time period orduring a period of heaviest wagering. Moreover, in some embodiments, theredemption code is also related to an actual amount wagered during aspecified time period and/or a number or identifier of games playedduring a specified time period. Furthermore, in the exemplaryembodiment, a variety of data is encoded into the redemption code usingthe hash function. Table 2 illustrates exemplary ticketing data that isencoded into the redemption code. Notably, the values shown in Table 2are exemplary values. The fields and/or the values associated with thefields may vary.

TABLE 2 Field Description Source ID 00001-49999 Game Theme Textrepresentation of the most frequent game theme Julian Date Range 0 . . .365 (counting leap day) Time of Day In 10 min intervals 0 . . . 143Denomination Range 0 . . . 8: [.01, .05, .10, .25, .50, 1.00, 5.00,10.00, and “other”] Rule ID Range 0 . . . 7 Delta Range 0 . . . 11:Value greater than rule threshold amount for non-triggered field. Takenfrom the list: [0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, >=100%]Trigger Field 0 = Game count triggered, 1 = wager amount triggered

Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, the data shown below in Table 3will be printed on the ticket in clear text format.

TABLE 3 Data Type Field Constraint Alphanumeric Date/Time AlphanumericTheme Name Most frequent Alphanumeric Pay table ID Most frequent

Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, offsite play ticket 140 isprinted based on one or more dependencies including, but not limited toonly including, a procedural scripting language with basic flow controlsuch as if-then statements and looping, arbitrary precision integer mathusing, for example, at least 32 decimal digits, addition,multiplication, division, and/or subtraction operations, raising a valueto an integer power and log base 10, access to secure storage with roomfor multiple binary data keys that are each associated with a start andend date, and/or a 64-bit block sized cipher such as Blowfish.Furthermore, offsite play ticket 140 is formatted using, for example, a13-character ASCII string that includes any suitable character.

The tracking of players' gaming and preferences and generation ofoffsite play ticket 140 permits extending legal gaming play outside oftraditional bricks and mortar casinos by awarding players of brick andmortar casino games with tickets that may be used to generate freeInternet play (for a score instead of credits). This play remainsmeaningful for the player because players earning high enough scores areinvited (e.g., all expenses paid) to a later tournament in a brick andmortar casino through which they may win large cash prizes. Moreover, insome embodiments, allowing a player to access an unlock code enables acasino or gaming machine manufacturer to form a cycle or loop of repeatpatronage. Offering an unlock code also generates interest by players informing Internet community groups for sharing unlock codes, which offersinexpensive advertising for particular gaming machines or themes.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an Internet enabled computersystem 200 at an offsite location in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment,computer system 200, such as a player's home computer, includes amonitor 202, and input devices, such as a keyboard 204 and a mouse 206.A processor 208 is housed within a cabinet 210. Processor 208 iscommunicatively coupled to monitor 202, keyboard 204, mouse 206, and aconduit 212 to the Internet 214 either directly or through variousperipheral components. Conduit 212 and Internet 214 permit computersystem 200 to communicatively couple to a website 216 associated with acasino where gaming machine 100 (shown in FIG. 1) is located orotherwise affiliated with, or website 216 may be associated with amanufacturer of gaming machine 100 or associated with a third partysponsor that is not affiliated with either the casino or themanufacturer.

As explained above, players may have offsite play tickets 140 thatinclude a code printed and a URL. Offsite play ticket 140 may advise theplayer that logging into the printed URL with the printed code will givethem an opportunity to enter sweepstakes or contests, or to playadditional games. In an alternative embodiment, the code is transmittedto the player. For example, the code may be emailed to an email addressthat the player uses to receive other messages or invitations from thecasino, or to an email address that is input into gaming machine 100.Alternatively, the code may be transmitted to the player via textmessage, such as an SMS text message or an MMS text message. It shouldbe understood that the code may be transmitted to the player using anysuitable electronic messaging method.

From an offsite location, players may log into dedicated website 216 andinput the code on their ticket or tickets into website 216. Each ofthese codes enables an internet play session, or other activities. Theplayer may elect to use his play session to play games in a variety ofcategories such as Slots, Video Poker, and Casual Games. During eachplay session the player earns a score. An aggregate score for eachplayer may be generated based on a number of different factors such asscores earned in each game category, bonus points awarded for fillingout customer surveys, and earning a very high score in a particular gamecategory.

The codes printed on offsite play ticket 140 issued to playerscorrespond to key data about the player's play history at the brick andmortar casinos. In the example embodiment, the printed code is generated(e.g., encoded and can be decoded) by an algorithm that includes a hashfunction. The generated code is used to build and update playerprofiles. The manufacturer of gaming machine 100 or other entity thatsponsors the use of offsite play ticket 140 can, for example, use thisinformation to make intelligent dynamic offers to these players and toreward the players for their loyalty.

In one example, a leader board is created and kept up to date using dataassociated with offsite play. The leader board can be viewed by theplayers so that each player knows his/her status relative to the otherplayers. At a set cut off time, for example, but not limited to, once amonth, the leader board is locked and the players with, for example, thetop 10 aggregate scores are invited to participate in a tournament at abrick and mortar casino. The player's lodging fees during the event maybe covered by the host property, and there is no tournament entry feefor any of the players who earned or have been randomly awarded theright to participate.

After the conclusion of the tournament, players are rewarded based ontheir finishing position. For example, the first place player may win$50,000, the second place player may win $25,000, and the third place,$15,000. The prize pool for this event is to be funded by themanufacturer of gaming machine 100 and/or other entities that sponsorthe use of offsite play ticket 140.

The information encoded and printed on each offsite play ticket 140, andthen supplied by the player to website 216 for offsite play, is storedfor later use by the manufacturer of gaming machine 100 or other entitythat sponsors the use of offsite play ticket 140. While playing at thebricks and mortar casino, various events can occur during a single roundof the players' play that cause offsite play ticket 140 to be printed.Consequently, the player may have several offsite play tickets 140 touse at the offsite location to build an even greater score, therebyincreasing their chances of finishing in a high position in thetournament.

While the specific encoding used in generating ticket 140 may take oneof many different forms, there are benefits to encoding as much relevantinformation as possible into a simple code that can then be provided bythe player to website 216. The more information encoded into the codeabout the players' activities at the brick and mortar casino, forexample, the more information that can be used by others involved inwebsite 216 (e.g., game manufacturers) to ascertain the playing habits,activities and patterns, for example, of that player. Encoding as muchrelevant data as possible into a code, however, presents a challenge inkeeping the code simple.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary method 300 oftransforming player data to code(s) printed on an offsite play ticket140. In the exemplary embodiment, information accumulated about a playerat each of a plurality of gaming machines 100 in a bricks and mortarcasino is collected 302 in predetermined locations. Rules applied to theinformation and the locations trigger a print event where one or moreoffsite play tickets 140 are generated and printed for the players' useat an offsite location. When triggered, an algorithm processes theaccumulated information using, for example, a hash function, andencrypts 304 it into, for example, a ten digit alphanumeric code. Invarious other embodiments, the code comprises a different number ofdigits and may include additional characters other than alphanumericcharacters depending upon system requirements, an amount of data to beencoded, and/or a desired level of security. The encoded and encryptedinformation is printed 306 on offsite play ticket 140 at the respectivegaming machine 100 for the player's later use. Alternatively, the codemay be electronically transmitted to the player. In the exemplaryembodiment, and at an offsite location and, generally, at the player'sconvenience, the code from the offsite play ticket 140 is entered 308into a website dedicated to playing additional games using points storedin the code. Additionally, information about the player's history andpreferences are also encoded in the code. The player profile is alsogenerated 310 from the code and stored through the website for the useof the sponsor of the offsite play, which may be, for example, but notlimited to, a manufacturer of gaming machine 100 or a third partycommercial sponsor.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary screen capture of a graphic display 400, such asa splash screen or home page of a website, which may be used with theInternet bonusing system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, display 400 includesa plurality of message fields and a plurality of input fields forinteraction with the player. Display 400 includes a menu bar 402 thatpermits the player to select various menu selections that advance theplayer to different areas of the website, for example, but not limitedto, a “Home” page by selecting a “Home” button 404, a “Security” page byselecting a “Security” button 406, a “My Account” page by selecting a“My Account” button 408, a “Contact Us” page by selecting a “Contact Us”button 410, and a “Help” page by selecting a “Help” button 412.

Display 400 also includes an identification field 414 that includes aname field 416, an avatar or photo field 418, and a logout field 420.Display 400 further includes a marquee field 422 that displays the nameof the game the player will be playing. In the exemplary embodiment, thename of the game is “Big Board Game.” However, in other embodiments, thenames of other selected games are displayed. A player may select a gamefrom a plurality of available games using a game selector field 424.Game selector field 424 includes a plurality of game selector buttons426 and one or more field advance buttons 428. If a desired one of theavailable games is not displayed in game selector field 424 a player canselect field advance buttons 428 to bring the desired game into the gameselector field 424 display.

The players' total standing with respect to other players is displayedin a total standings field 430. To play the selected game, the playerenters a code from any of offsite play tickets 140 the player may havecollected into a code entry field 432. A credit meter field 434indicates a number of plays available to the player and a game standingsfield 436 indicates the player's standing in each game relative to otherplayer's also playing each game. Additional messaging fields 438 permitthe website sponsor to provide encouragement, enticement, notices ofspecial offers, or general informational messages and/or help to theplayers. A “Store” button 440 advances the player to an online storewhere the player can purchase merchandise using the credits won or maypurchase merchandise using money to gain additional credits. The playermay also take surveys to increase their credit point total.

FIGS. 5-8 are exemplary screen captures of graphic displays for use inan alternative embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 5 is an exemplary screencapture of a graphic display 500, such as a splash screen or home pageof a website, which may be used to provide an unlock code in accordancewith an alternative embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6-8are exemplary screen captures 600 of a graphic display of gaming machine100 (shown in FIG. 1) in accordance with the alternative embodiment ofthe present invention.

In the alternative embodiment, gaming machine 100 emits a code viaoffsite play ticket 140 (shown in FIG. 1) under various play conditions.For example, a player may be provided with offsite play ticket 140according to the above-described rules. Alternatively, the player may beprovided with offsite play ticket 140 after wagering a preselectedamount, inserting a preselected number of credits, obtaining apreselected symbol or symbol combination, or any other suitabletriggering event. As explained above, players may have offsite playtickets 140 that include a code printed and a URL. Offsite play ticket140 may advise the player that logging into the printed URL with theprinted code will entitle them to an unlock code for use on one or morespecific gaming machines 100 within the brick and mortar casino. In analternative embodiment, the code and/or the URL are transmitted to theplayer. For example, the code and/or the URL may be emailed to an emailaddress that the player uses to receive other messages or invitationsfrom the casino, or to an email address that is input into gamingmachine 100. Alternatively, the code and/or the URL may be transmittedto the player via text message, such as an SMS text message or an MMStext message. It should be understood that the code and/or the URL maybe transmitted to the player using any suitable electronic messagingmethod. In addition to unlocking a feature, the code printed on offsiteplay ticket 140 may correspond to key data about the player's playhistory at the brick and mortar casinos. In the example embodiment, theprinted code is generated (e.g., encoded and can be decoded) by analgorithm that includes a hash function as described above. Thegenerated code is used to build and update player profiles. Themanufacturer of gaming machine 100 or other entity that sponsors the useof offsite play ticket 140 can, for example, use this information tomake intelligent dynamic offers to these players and to reward theplayers for their loyalty.

From an offsite location, such as an Internet-enabled computer 202players may log into dedicated website 216 (each shown in FIG. 2) andinput the code on their ticket or tickets into website 216. As shown inFIG. 5, display 500 is then provided to the player, and describes theone or more triggers that are required to unlock a special feature thatis associated with the code and the triggers. For example, display 500includes an instruction portion 502 that includes a set of operations504 that the player can complete within a specified a time period 506 tounlock the special feature. Display 500 may also include a sampledisplay portion 508 that provides the player with a sample screen fromgaming machine 100 where the player is to complete operations 504.Display 500 also includes a publication portion 510 that offers theplayer options for publishing or outputting operations 504. For example,the player may print operations 504 and/or sample display portion 508 touse as a reference while playing the game during time period 506. Theplayer may instead transfer operations 504 and/or sample display portion508 to a device, such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, or a PersonalDigital Assistant. In addition, the player may send an email to anotherplayer that includes operations 504, time period 506, and/or sampledisplay portion 508. Furthermore, the player may post operations 504,time period 506, and/or sample display portion 508 to a blog. Publishingunlock codes facilitates promoting new and continual patronage at acasino to play specific games.

After obtaining operations 504 and time period 506 from website 216, theplayer then returns to a casino, which may be the casino that issuedoffsite play ticket 140 or another casino. The player may be required toplay gaming machine 100 until a particular symbol or combination ofsymbols is displayed. Alternatively, the player may bypass additionalplay on gaming machine 100 and may simply input operations 504. Display600 of FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a particular screen thatincludes a specified combination of symbols. The player can then operategaming machine 100 according to operations 504. When the player enablesthe special feature, as shown in FIG. 6, gaming machine 100 alerts theplayer accordingly. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 7, theplayer may then be required to enter the code provided on offsite playticket 140. Finally, when operations 504 are complete and the code hasbeen entered, and as shown in FIG. 8, gaming machine 100 indicates tothe player that the special feature has been activated. Gaming machine100 also indicates to the player the reward that is associated with thespecial feature.

Exemplary rewards associated with the special feature include, but arenot limited to only including, free game sequences, multipliers,addition of one or more wild symbols, addition of one or more scattersymbols, re-population of a paytable used by gaming machine 100 toincrease a win percentage, additional trigger opportunities for bonusgames, new triggers for bonus games, entry into a progressivetournament, adjustment of a wager necessary to enter a progressivetournament, free meals and/or entertainment, or any other suitablereward.

The casino and/or gaming machine manufacturer may require other actionsor enrollments prior to providing offsite gaming ticket 140 or prior toenabling the code or activating the special feature based on the code.Exemplary requirements include, but are not limited to, requiring two ormore players to activate a shared or communal code during the same timeperiod, requiring a player to follow a code sequence that uses multiplegaming machines 100 in a particular sequence and then combines clues togenerate the code, and requiring the player to solve a puzzle in orderto receive a code and/or activate the special feature. In addition, acode and/or operations associated with a code and a special feature maybe dynamic in time such that a value of the special feature decreases intime. A player may also be able to sustain the valid time period of acode via payment.

The above-described alternative embodiment includes benefits to casinos,gaming machine manufacturers, advertisers, and players alike. Forexample, casinos gain valuable repeat business from players, and mayalso gain additional members to player tracking systems. In addition,casinos may gain new revenue streams through advertiser-supplied unlockcodes, and may be able to optimize floor usage based on additionalplayer tracking data. Players benefit through use of unlock codes thatmay be published for consumption by other players. Use of the unlockcodes also benefits players by offering additional rewards that aregenerally unavailable without the use of such codes. Gaming machinemanufacturers gain an opportunity to funnel players to specific gamesand to collect valuable play history of players.

As will be appreciated based on the foregoing specification, theabove-described embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented usingcomputer programming or engineering techniques including computersoftware, firmware, hardware or any combination or subset thereof,wherein the technical effect is extending legal gaming play outside oftraditional bricks and mortar casinos by awarding players of brick andmortar casino games with tickets that may be used to generate freeInternet play (for a score instead of credits) that remains meaningfulfor the player because players earning high enough scores are invited(e.g., all expenses paid) to a later tournament in a brick and mortarcasino through which they may win large cash prizes. Additionally, theInternet play tickets issued to players for Internet-enabled games havea code, or a hash, that when input into the dedicated website, willcommunicate valuable information about the player's historical play andallow gaming manufacturers to build player profiles and thus moreintelligently market to and reward that player. Any such resultingprogram, having computer-readable code means, may be embodied orprovided within one or more computer-readable media, thereby making acomputer program product, i.e., an article of manufacture, according tothe discussed embodiments of the disclosure. The computer readable mediamay be, for example, but is not limited to, a fixed (hard) drive,diskette, optical disk, magnetic tape, semiconductor memory such asread-only memory (ROM), and/or any transmitting/receiving medium such asthe Internet or other communication network or link. The article ofmanufacture containing the computer code may be made and/or used byexecuting the code directly from one medium, by copying the code fromone medium to another medium, or by transmitting the code over anetwork.

The above-described embodiments of a method and system of Internetbonusing provides a cost-effective and reliable means for extending agaming device manufacturer or other sponsor's contact with a playerafter the player leaves a traditional bricks and mortar casino location.More specifically, the methods and system described herein facilitateextending legal gaming play outside of traditional bricks and mortarcasinos by awarding players of brick and mortar casino games withtickets that may be used to generate free Internet play (for a scoreinstead of credits). In addition, the above-described methods and systemfacilitate maintaining the Internet play meaningful for the playerbecause players earning high enough scores using the dedicated Internetwebsite are invited (all expenses paid) to a later tournament in a brickand mortar casino through which they may win large cash prizes. As aresult, the methods and system described herein facilitate generatingand maintaining gaming tracking information and a continuingrelationship with players after they leave the bricks and mortar casinoin a cost-effective and reliable manner.

The term “processor,” as used herein, refers to central processingunits, microprocessors, microcontrollers, reduced instruction setcircuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), logiccircuits, and any other circuit or processor capable of executing thefunctions described herein.

As used herein, the terms “software” and “firmware” are interchangeable,and include any computer program stored in memory for execution byprocessor 102, including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROMmemory, and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types areexemplary only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memoryusable for storage of a computer program.

A computer or controller, such as those described herein, includes atleast one processor or processing unit and a system memory. The computeror controller typically has at least some form of computer readablemedia. By way of example and not limitation, computer readable mediainclude computer storage media and communication media. Computer storagemedia include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removablemedia implemented in any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer readable instructions, data structures, programmodules, or other data. Communication media typically embody computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other datain a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transportmechanism and include any information delivery media. Those skilled inthe art are familiar with the modulated data signal, which has one ormore of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encodeinformation in the signal. Combinations of any of the above are alsoincluded within the scope of computer readable media.

Although the present invention is described in connection with anexemplary gaming system environment, embodiments of the invention areoperational with numerous other general purpose or special purposegaming system environments or configurations. The gaming systemenvironment is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope ofuse or functionality of any aspect of the invention. Moreover, thegaming system environment should not be interpreted as having anydependency or requirement relating to any one or combination ofcomponents illustrated in the exemplary operating environment. Examplesof well known gaming systems, environments, and/or configurations thatmay be suitable for use with aspects of the invention include, but arenot limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held orlaptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems,set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, mobile telephones,network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computingenvironments that include any of the above systems or devices, and thelike.

Embodiments of the invention may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program components or modules,executed by one or more computers or other devices. Aspects of theinvention may be implemented with any number and organization ofcomponents or modules. For example, aspects of the invention are notlimited to the specific computer-executable instructions or the specificcomponents or modules illustrated in the figures and described herein.Alternative embodiments of the invention may include differentcomputer-executable instructions or components having more or lessfunctionality than illustrated and described herein.

The order of execution or performance of the operations in theembodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein is notessential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations may beperformed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments ofthe invention may include additional or fewer operations than thosedisclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing orperforming a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, orafter another operation is within the scope of aspects of the invention.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal language of the claims.

1. A gaming machine comprising: a memory area configured to receiveinformation relating to game play on the gaming machine and a player'sactivity associated with game play on the gaming machine and to storethe information; and a processor coupled to the memory area andprogrammed to: record play of the player on the gaming machine; encodeat least a portion of the recorded play; and output a result of theencoding in a tangible form to the player for use in accessing a gamingwebsite via the Internet.
 2. A gaming machine in accordance with claim1, wherein the gaming website is associated with a manufacturer of thegaming machine.
 3. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe gaming machine is located in a casino and the gaming website isassociated with an owner of the casino.
 4. A gaming machine inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the gaming website is associated with athird party sponsor of at least a portion of the game play.
 5. A gamingmachine in accordance with claim 1, wherein an outcome above apredetermined threshold triggers the processor to encode at least aportion of the recorded play.
 6. A gaming machine in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the result of the encoding is printed on a substrate.7. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 6, wherein the substratecomprises a paper product.
 8. A gaming machine in accordance with claim1, wherein the processor is configured to encode at least a portion ofthe recorded play using a hash function.
 9. A method of tracking playeractivity, said method comprising: recording play of a player on a gamingmachine; encoding at least a portion of the recorded play using a hashfunction; and outputting a result of the hash function to the player.10. A method in accordance with claim 9, wherein recording play of aplayer on a gaming machine comprises accumulating predetermined portionsof data over an indeterminate period of time.
 11. A method in accordancewith claim 10, further comprising evaluating the accumulated data incomparison to at least one rule.
 12. A method of Internet bonusing, saidmethod comprising: receiving an output of a hash function from each of aplurality of players, the hash function output including arepresentation of recorded play of an associated player on a gamingmachine at a first gaming venue encoded in the hash function output;providing credit to the plurality of players for gaming on anInternet-based gaming site based on the respective received output;scoring outcomes of the Internet gaming played by the plurality ofplayers; selecting a portion of the plurality of players based on atleast one of a ranking of outcomes of the Internet gaming and a randomselection; and awarding a bonus to the selected portion.
 13. A method inaccordance with claim 12, wherein receiving an output of a hash functioncomprises receiving an output of a hash function that is printed asgraphical characters on a physical ticket.
 14. A method in accordancewith claim 12, wherein receiving an output of a hash function comprisesreceiving an output of a hash function that IS electronicallytransmitted to at least a portion of the plurality of players.
 15. Amethod in accordance with claim 12, wherein receiving an output of ahash function comprises receiving an output of a hash function that isentered into an input device into a computer communicatively coupled tothe Internet.
 16. A method in accordance with claim 12, whereinreceiving an output of a hash function comprises receiving an output ofa hash function that includes an identifier of the player whose play isrecorded in the hash function output.
 17. A method in accordance withclaim 12, wherein receiving an output of a hash function comprisesreceiving an output of a hash function that includes informationrelating to the type of games the player played on the gaming machine.18. A method in accordance with claim 12, wherein receiving an output ofa hash function comprises receiving an output of a hash function thatincludes information relating to a wagering of the player on the gamingmachine.
 19. A method in accordance with claim 12, wherein providingcredit to the plurality of players for gaming on an Internet-basedgaming site based on the respective received output comprises providingcredit to the plurality of players that logon to a predeterminedInternet gaming website associated with the output of the hash function.20. A method in accordance with claim 12, wherein selecting a portion ofthe plurality of players comprises selecting a portion of the pluralityof players at a predetermined cutoff event.
 21. A method in accordancewith claim 12, wherein awarding a bonus to the selected portioncomprises awarding an invitation to compete in a gaming tournament atthe first gaming venue.
 22. An Internet bonusing system comprising: afirst server configured to host a gaming website and to receive a codevia a network, the code based on information relating to player activityassociated with game play on a gaming machine, the code generated whenthe information relating to player activity meets one of a plurality ofrules, the code embodied on an offsite play ticket.
 23. An Internetbonusing system in accordance with claim 22, wherein the first serverincludes programming code programmed instruct a processor to decode thereceived code and to determine a player profile that includes theplayer's gaming preferences and the player's game play activity prior togeneration of the offsite play ticket.
 24. An Internet bonusing systemin accordance with claim 23, wherein the first server includesprogramming code programmed instruct the processor to facilitate gameplay by the player on the gaming website using the determined playerprofile.
 25. An Internet bonusing system in accordance with claim 22,wherein the first server includes programming code programmed toinstruct the processor to: for a plurality of players, determine arelative score of each player based on each player's game play on thegaming website; determine a plurality of winning players after apredetermined period of game play on the gaming website; and output anidentification of the determined plurality of winning players.
 26. AnInternet bonusing system in accordance with claim 25, further comprisinga second server communicatively coupled to a plurality of gamingmachines through a network, each of the plurality of gaming machinesconfigured to receive game play commands from a respective one of thedetermined plurality of winning players.
 27. An Internet bonusing systemin accordance with claim 26, wherein said second server includesprogramming code programmed to instruct a second processor to: determinea relative score of each player based on each player's game play on anassociated one of the plurality of gaming machines; determine a rank ofthe plurality of winning players after a predetermined period of gameplay on the associated one of the plurality of gaming machines; andoutput an identification of the determined winning players.
 28. A methodof generating a redemption code, said method comprising: recording datarelated play of a player on an electronic gaming machine (EGM);detecting that the recorded data meets a threshold value; combining thedata to form a single value in response to the detection; generating ahash value from the single value using a hash function; encoding thehash value in a message; and presenting the message to the player.
 29. Amethod in accordance with claim 28, wherein combining the data to form asingle value comprises transposing the recorded data and combining thetransposed data to form the single value.
 30. A method in accordancewith claim 28, wherein encoding the hash value in a message comprisesencrypting the hash value and encoding the encrypted hash value in themessage.
 31. A method in accordance with claim 28, wherein presentingthe message to the player comprises printing the message on a medium.32. A method in accordance with claim 28, wherein presenting the messageto the player comprises electronically transmitting the message to theplayer.
 33. A gaming machine comprising: a memory area configured tostore information relating to game play on said gaming machine and aplayer's activity associated with game play on said gaming machine; anda processor coupled to said memory area, wherein said processor isprogrammed to: monitor the game play information; process the game playinformation using a plurality of rules; initiate generation of anoffsite play ticket when at least one of the plurality of rules is met;encode the game play information; and present the code to the player.34. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 33, wherein said processoris programmed to encode the game play information based on an identifierassociated with the at least one of the plurality of rules.
 35. A gamingmachine in accordance with claim 33, wherein said memory area is furtherconfigured to store at least one encryption key, and wherein saidprocessor is further programmed to encrypt the code.
 36. A gamingmachine comprising: a memory area configured to store informationrelating to initiation of at least one feature mode of operation; and aprocessor coupled to the memory area and configured to: detect a triggerduring the game play by the player; prompt the player to enter a code;and initiate the at least one feature mode of operation on the gamingmachine based on the code.
 37. A gaming machine in accordance with claim36, wherein the processor is further configured to store game playinformation relating to play on the gaming machine by a player to thememory area, to generate the code based on the game play information,and to present the code to the player.
 38. A gaming machine inaccordance with claim 37, wherein the processor is configured togenerate the code by encoding at least a portion of the stored game playinformation using a hash function.
 39. A gaming machine in accordancewith claim 36, wherein the trigger is a preselected outcome during gameplay by the player.
 40. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 36,wherein the trigger is a preselected combination of inputs by the playerat the gaming machine.
 41. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 36,wherein the processor is further configured to detect an expirationstatus of the code when entered by the player.
 42. A gaming machine inaccordance with claim 41, wherein the processor is further configured topresent the player with an option to extend an expiration date of thecode upon a detection that the code has expired.
 43. A gaming methodcomprising: receiving a code from a player via a network; providing atrigger to the player for entry into a gaming machine; detecting thetrigger during play by the player on the gaming machine; enabling afeature mode of play on the gaming machine in response to detecting thetrigger.
 44. A gaming method in accordance with claim 43, whereinreceiving a code comprises receiving an output of the gaming machine asgraphical characters on a physical ticket.
 45. A gaming method inaccordance with claim 43, wherein receiving a code comprises receiving acode that is electronically transmitted to the player.
 46. A gamingmethod in accordance with claim 43, wherein receiving a code comprisesreceiving an output of a hash function that is provided to the player.47. A gaming method in accordance with claim 46, further comprisingencoding at least a portion of recorded play by the player on the gamingmachine.
 48. A gaming method in accordance with claim 43, whereindetecting a trigger comprises detecting a preselected outcome duringgame play by the player on the gaming machine.
 49. A gaming method inaccordance with claim 43, wherein detecting a trigger comprisesdetecting a preselected combination of inputs by the player at thegaming machine.
 50. A gaming method in accordance with claim 43, whereinenabling a feature mode of play on the gaming machine comprises enablinga bonus feature that is accessible on the gaming machine during apreselected time period.
 51. A gaming method in accordance with claim43, wherein enabling a feature mode of play on the gaming machinecomprises: identifying a second gaming machine to be played by theplayer; detecting play by the player on the second gaming machine; andenabling the feature mode of play on the second gaming machine.
 52. Agaming method in accordance with claim 43, wherein enabling a featuremode of play on the gaming machine comprises: detecting the triggerduring play by a second player on a second gaming machine; and enablingthe feature mode of play on the first gaming machine and the secondgaming machine.
 53. A gaming method in accordance with claim 43, whereinenabling a feature mode of play on the gaming machine comprisesproviding the player with entry into a gaming tournament.
 54. A gamingmethod in accordance with claim 43, further comprising: tracking anidentifier of the feature mode of play enabled on the gaming machine;and enabling a second feature mode of play on the gaming machine inresponse to detection of a second trigger.
 55. A gaming machinecomprising: a memory area configured to store information relating toinitiation of at least one feature mode of operation and informationrelating to game play by a player at the gaming machine; and a processorcoupled to the memory area and configured to: record play by the playeron the gaming machine; encode at least a portion of the recorded play;output a result of the encoding in a tangible form to the player for usein accessing a gaming website via the Internet; detect a trigger duringthe game play by the player; prompt the player to enter the result; andinitiate the at least one feature mode of operation on the gamingmachine based on the code and the trigger.